Hi all, Here we go again with the beginner DJ Articles set Part 4. This time we'l talk about mixers. Mixers come in a great variety of shapes and styles, and the specific functionality (fancy features i can say) can vary widely. These fancy features can be confusing to a new DJ, as will, quite possibly, some of the more basic features. We'll that is the purpose of this post, let's eliminate those confusions:)
As you can see on mixers specifications, most of them range from either two to four channels. This means you can either attach two, three, or four sources (turntables, CD players, mp3 players, etc.). Many models also allow multiple (usually two) sources to be connected per channel, with a selector switch on the face (the top of the mixer, where the faders, switches, and knobs are located). On a four-channel mixer, this multiplies the four sources into eight. If it's still confusing, just hang on.
Mixers are usually set up around the different channels. If you look close, a majority of the features are divided up into the number channels the mixer has. Usually, all the controls of a channel are in a column spanning the vertical axis of the mixer. I hope that is an enough explanation on the "channels". Do you see all of those buttons, and knobs on the mixer? They really do play important roles for you.
I'm going to explain in a 2 channel mixer now, since it is the most basic type of mixers. If the features of your mixer are not listed here, check out the owners manual that came with it and it will probably give you a good idea of what it is there for once you have the very basics down. If all else fails, just post your put your questions in the chat box or comments.
1. Crossfader - When you see a DJ "scratching", you will notice that one of their hand will be placed on a slider, and the other on the turntable. That slider is what we called as a "Crossfader". It is usually located at the bottom of the face of the mixer. This slider allows the transition of sound from channel 1 to channel 2 (left deck to right deck), and vice versa. A lot of mixers have a crossfader slope selector of some kind. This simply changes the crossfader slope, altering how the channels come in and out when the crossfader is used. There are usually two settings, “Cut” and “Fade”. When set to cut, when the fader is moved, the channel will go from silent, to full volume very quickly. When set to “Fade”, the channel will go from silent, to full volume gradually.
2. Crossfader Assignment - With this function, you can assign how do you want the crossfader to work. Some mixers use knobs on each side of the crossfader, while others may have a switch on the face, or front panel. Other mixers may have what’s called a “hamster switch.” This simply reverses the channels. So if full left on the crossfader selects channel 1, with the hamster switch on, full left would instead select channel 2. Just as in all other features, specifics vary between brand and even in between models within brands.
3. Up/Channel Fader - These are the volume control of the each channel. You can see these faders are in vertical columns (it's very apparent, don't worry). All the way up is full blast, and all the way down is no sound at all.
4. EQs (Equalizers) - You got a radio, home theater or anything that is a sound output? they have the knobs written "high", "mids", and "low" (or treble, bass, etc) right? DJ mixers also have them. Some of the cheaper mixers just have two (High and Low), and some of the higher end mixers have four (High, Midhi, Mid lo, Low). EQs are used to cut, attenuate, or accentuate certain frequencies out of a track. They are sometimes accompanied by a “kill switch,” which, when activated, will completely remove the desired frequencies. The EQs are a very useful tool for mixing, and it's fun as you can change how a record may sound.
5. Gain/Trim - The Gain or Trim is like the “master” volume of the each channel. Usually located directly above the Eqs, above the channel fader. the gain/trim can be used to reduce, or increase the volume of a track that is louder or softer than the track currently playing.
6. Headphones - Headphones are used to monitor music that is not playing “live” but “queued”. in other words, one deck will be heard by the crowd, and the other one can only be heard by you through the headphones, which you will mixed later on. Usually, there will be some sort of method to select what channel you want to monitor in the headphones, usually buttons or a switch located on the face. Also worth mentioning is features on many mixers which allows you to monitor the live channel as well as the queued channel. This allows you to “premix” as I like to call it. You can listen to the live channel and any other channels at the same time, and fade between what is live and what is queued using a knob, or fader. Use this one for beatmatching, so when the crowd hear the next songs, they already matched.
This is what you need to know before choosing a mixer: Cheaper brands use cheaper, inferior parts. Other brands use quality parts, which drive up the price, yet gives the consumer a superior product. Also, the more expensive mixers, of course, will have more channels and more fancy features. If you are a starter bedroom DJ, there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting your hands on a mixer that costs no more than a hundred and fifty bucks. My personal feeling is it is actually better to do this, than go all out and buy a twelve hundred dollar mixer. A simplistic layout will be more conducive to learning, and usually a simple, cheap mixer will be all new DJ really needs. When it is time to move up to a bigger mixer, make sure what you are getting is really what you need. There may be some features you will never use and will simply be wasting money on.
Scratch mixers are more conducive to a scratch DJ. They are prepared to be abused. A good crossfader for a scratch DJ will also feel “loose,” and will easily slide from one side to the other. This makes it easier for the DJ to manipulate the crossfader quickly. Scratch mixers are usually simple two channel mixers, as a scratch DJ usually needs no more. There are, of course, many scratch mixers out there with multiple channels and more features. Once again, features vary a great deal between all the stuff out there.
Getting a good mixer is definitely a big part of your mixing. Just because a mixer is big, fancy, and expensive doesn’t necessarily mean you need it. Do some research, fine which is the most suitable with your condition and budget. i prefer personally to give more budget to the turntables or CD Decks, since they are the ones that will play the songs. I just don't want the songs suddenly skip to the other part of it while playing to the crowd, it is not good for business. Enjoy:)
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DJ Basic(s) - Beginner Part 4
Monday, 3 August 2009Posted by WIN at 21:44
Labels: DJ Basic(s), Tips and Tricks
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